If the Spoonful were a stew, John Sebastian would be the meat and potatoes, giving the stew its substance. Joe Butler and Steve Boone, the stellar rhythm section, would be the broth, holding the stew together, and Zal Yanovsky would be all of the different spices and flavoring sprinkled in. Without the spices, the stew would be okay and passable, but with the spices, it would be out of this world.
Watching old footage of the Spoonful performing, it's not hard to see that Zal was the life of the party, often stealing the spotlight at any opportune moment. Those who knew him best often talk about his zany antics and off the wall persona, in addition to his reputation as a damn good guitarist. He was unique in his musicianship, carving his own style into the Spoonful's melodies in thoughtful chord changes and skillful picking.
Although he departed (or was kicked out of, depending on who you believe) the Spoonful in 1967, Zal was one of the main draws of the band, in my opinion. Zal was as much the frontman as John, and the chemistry between the two of them was undeniable. John has said about Zal that when he wrote, he often wrote with Zal in mind, trying to think of clever lyrics that would make Zal laugh. It was that partnership that generated the charm of the band.
In my opinion, Zal is one of the most under-appreciated musicians of the 1960s. His solo album, Alive and Well in Argentina is a unique, psychedelic response to his departure from the Spoonful, and should be held as a landmark recording of the late-1960s, but instead, is virtually lost in obscurity, which is a tragedy. However, much should be said about his transition and subsequent success into restauranteur.
Anyway, this site is dedicated to Zalman Yanovsky and his brilliant contribution that he made to not only the Lovin' Spoonful, but also to music. I'm glad he lived long enough to see the band inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and himself inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. He truly deserved both honors among others. It may sound corny, but he lives forever in the beautiful music that he produced and in the legacy of the memories that others share.
Also, this site is additionally dedicated to the memory of Cass Elliot, who, besides being a great, great friend of the Spoons (especially John and Zal) was also instrumental in bringing the band together. She herself was a beautiful, powerful performer who (from what I've heard) had an incredible sense of humor and who left her mark on music forever. Rest in peace.